Kota Kinabalu: State Minister of Industrial Development and Entrepreneurship Datuk Phoong Jin Zhe called for urgent federal action to upgrade Jalan Lintas, describing it as a traffic accident black spot that poses serious safety risks and can no longer be ignored.
In response to viral reports of multiple fatal accidents, Phoong, who is also Luyang Assemblyman, said Jalan Lintas as one of the city’s busiest highways, is severely outdated and no longer meets public needs.
He said the road has not kept pace with rapid urbanisation, particularly in areas like Luyang, Sembulan, Kolombong and Lintas, which has led to uncontrolled additions of exits and U-turns that worsen safety conditions.
He stressed the urgent need for upgrading works and urged the Federal Government to include Jalan Lintas in the next 13th Malaysia Plan.
“Locations near Khidmat and the Iramanis Starbucks are high-risk areas frequently referred to online as ‘death U-turn’ zones due to the alarming frequency of accidents and viral videos of collisions.
Phoong noted that the last major upgrade to Jalan Lintas took place a decade ago under the 11th Malaysia Plan, when several U-turn and intersection flyovers were constructed.
“Since then, the population and number of vehicles using the road have doubled, and the surrounding areas have continued to develop rapidly,” he said, in a statement.
Phoong also proposed the construction of an express lane connecting the Inanam flyover directly to Kota Kinabalu International Airport to avoid dangerous lane merging, similar to infrastructure seen in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
He has engaged with relevant agencies to submit a comprehensive proposal for Jalan Lintas upgrades under RMK13.
He called on the Sabah Public Works Department (JKR) to push the project forward with strong justification and ensure it is given high priority.
“The road upgrade must be integrated with proper public transport planning to match the pace of development in Kota Kinabalu and surrounding areas.
“The time for planning is over and further delays will only continue to endanger lives and hinder progress in the city,” he said.
